Was Abraham Lincoln's views on race reflective of his morals or were they utilized for political gain?

Lincoln was firm politically in proposing that slavery is morally wrong but he was not an abolitionist himself.

Explanation:

His views regarding the racial equality were always tending to be controversial and complicated. There had been a situation wherein Lincoln admitted that constitution mandated certain clauses for abolition but he did not know what exactly need to be done to abolish slavery from the current political system.

Lincoln seemed to be working with abolitionists but did not count himself to be totally responsible to abolish slavery. Only with the emancipation he could win over the black's votes.